Portugal

You don’t have to be a wine lover to appreciate a trip to Portugal. This country is probably one of the most underrated destinations in all of Europe. The country’s landscape is beautiful and diverse, the food is inexpensive and delicious, the residents are friendly, and the weather is outstanding for most of the year. Added bonus…if you love pastries, Portugal’s specialty is pastel de nata, a delicious custard-like dessert.

I traveled to southern Portugal with Collette Tours a few years ago in March, which is considered part of the shoulder season. I barely travel to Europe during peak season, unless it’s required for work. I find crowds to be annoying during high season, and I have had incredible luck with European weather when traveling during the shoulder seasons. During this trip in March, the sky was sunny every day with temperatures in the 60s-70s F. While not swimming weather, it was the perfect set-up for walking around and discovering all that Portugal has to offer. If traveling to Portugal for a limited time (9 days or less), I’d suggest picking one region only. Porto and the Douro Valley can be a trip on its own, especially for wine lovers. My tour concentrated on southern Portugal, including Lisbon, the Riviera region, the Alentejo region, and Algarve. Madeira and the Azores are another region I’m hoping to explore soon.

First and foremost, the tile in Portugal is phenomenal. Everywhere you look, you will see tile…streets, buildings, restaurants, etc. Tile design is part of Portuguese culture that dates back to the 13th century.

When arriving in Portugal, you’ll most likely begin your trip in Lisbon. I headed directly to Vila Gale Hotel in Cascais for a few nights. The hotel was lovely with ocean views. Cascais, considered part of Portugal’s Riviera region, was my favorite area. It’s west of Lisbon and served as our home base for a few days.

Sightseeing began in Lisbon. The first visit was to Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, the latter constructed to signify Portugal’s Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries. The monument is located along the Tagus River, where ships departed to trade with and explore India and the Orient. Don’t miss this monument when visiting Lisbon. It’s massive, intricate and quite beautiful.

While in Lisbon, I also visited the 16th century Jeronimos Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage site), as well as the Maritime Museum, which offered a glimpse into Portugal’s naval achievements. Both were interesting. Lisbon is a vibrant city with colorful architecture (thanks to all the tiles!). I thoroughly enjoyed it.

During my down time at the hotel in Cascais, I used the opportunity to walk around the area. Portugal’s coastline is gorgeous, but especially in this area. The Boca do Inferno (translates to “Mouth of Hell”) is a cave carved out by the power of the Atlantic Ocean. The pounding waves in this area make this a must-visit spot. Cascais was probably my favorite area of Portugal on this tour.

Next up was Obidos, which is a medieval village surrounded by walls. The entrance to the village was beautiful with its stunning tile work. In addition to a castle, the village mostly consists of white-washed houses, with panoramic views everywhere you look. The local shoppes are authentic, and you can find some really unique cork products since Portugal is the world’s leading producer of cork. Who knew? I actually bought a beautiful cork purse, which is the most durable purse I own. It doesn’t fade in the sun and is waterproof. The Portuguese use cork to design purses that stand up to the relentless heat during the summer months. Cork jewelry is also very beautiful (and yes, I had to buy a few pieces of this jewelry).

Another interesting area that I visited was Sintra, which served as summer residence of Portuguese kings for six centuries. This was a quaint hilltop village that’s worth a visit. Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, is a must-see stop.

The tour then headed inland through Portugal’s countryside and the Alentejo region, including Arraiolos (known as the “village of rugs”). You guessed it…this area is known for their tapestries. Evora is the historic city of this region, with Roman ruins and gothic churches, so I spent some time walking around the city center (another UNESCO site). The tour group also visited a winery. The Alentejo region is known for its full-bodied wines.

From the Alentejo region, we traveled south to the Algarve region, the southernmost region of Portugal. This is the area that Europeans flock to during the summer to sunbathe and enjoy the beaches. The coastline here is stunning. Our hotel in Lagos was also Hotel Vila Gale, which was a beautiful beachside property. I remember speaking to the hotel concierge and he said the beach is packed like sardines during the summer and that visiting here during the shoulder season is the best thing I could have done. No one loves a beach more than me, but once again, I avoid high tourist season when possible. A must-do in this area is a visit to Sagres, which is the westernmost town in Algarve. It has a rugged coastline and you can walk along the cliffs to witness the magnificent views.

The last few stops on the tour were Faro and Tavira. Faro is the capital of the Algarve region with a quaint historic city center. Tavira is an ancient Moorish city. Both spots are worth a visit during a trip to southern Portugal.

The food in Portugal is fantastic. If you’re a fish lover, you won’t have a bad meal. The prices are ridiculously cheap (relative to New York City prices) for the quality of food you receive. And the port….well, I saved the best for last. I was never a port drinker until I traveled to Portugal. The sheer amount of variety offered at every cafe or restaurant is hard to fathom. White port? Delicious.

If you’re interested in traveling to a country that offers a bit of everything….history, beaches, sunny weather, excellent cuisine and wine, and welcoming locals, add Portugal to your list.